Dear Heloise: The suggestion to check the Website to verify medications might not always work. Generics often do not look like the brand names.

I have one generic medication that has had changes in the color, and the latest even changed from a round tablet to an oval-shaped tablet—it depends on the manufacturer. I checked with my pharmacy, and there is a code on each tablet by which the pharmacy can verify the medication. Some pharmacies also include this code on the label. My suggestion for long-term usage is to be familiar with what the medication looks like.—James Lucci, Montgom...

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